Initially under Portuguese administration from the mid 16th century, in 1999 Macao (a profitable port of strategic importance in the development of international trade) came under Chinese sovereignty. The historic centre of Macao presents a unique testimony to the union of aesthetic, cultural, architectural and technological influences from the East and the West, revealed through its historic streets, Portuguese and Chinese residential, religious and public buildings. Within the site one can also find a fortress and a lighthouse-the oldest in China. The site, based on the vibrancy of its international trade, testifies to one of the earliest and longest-lasting encounters between China and the West. --WHMNet paraphrase from the description at WHC Site, where additional information is available. For 360 degree imaging of this site, click here.

The Historic Centre of Macau (Portuguese: O Centro Histórico de Macau; traditional Chinese: 澳門歷史城區) is a collection of over twenty monuments and sites that witness the unique assimilation and co-existence of eastern and western cultures in Macau, a former Portuguese colony. It represents the architectural legacies of the city's cultural heritage, including monuments such as urban squares, streetscapes, churches and temples. In 2005 the Historic Centre of Macau was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage list, making it the 31st designated World Heritage site in China. --Wikipedia. Text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License. For 360 degree imaging of this site, click here.